March 1, 2017

To the Parents/Guardians of Miller School Students:

Please read these important reminders and mark your calendars!

1. Coffee Talk: Tonight, Wednesday, March 1st, Mr. Keim and Mrs. Maurao will host their second virtual

coffee talk from 6:30pm-7:00pm.  

The Coffee Talk will be in the format of a podcast.  Parents can watch, listen, and post questions live about a variety of topics at Miller School in an effort to expand the school’s ability to communicate in alternative ways with parents.  When you click on Virtual Coffee Talk Question Form, you will see a video screen on the left and a form to post questions and/or comments on the right.  The podcast will begin on this screen promptly at 6:30 PM.  Feel free to post questions at any time between now and the start of the podcast.  This will give Mr. Keim and Mrs. Maurao a place to start from.  However, once the podcast begins the same form can be used to post live questions for Mr. Keim and Mrs. Maurao to respond to.

At the conclusion of the broadcast, the video will be posted on the school website so that parents that were unable to view the live broadcast can view it on their own time.

2. Spring MCAS Testing: MCAS testing begins the first week of April.  Please read the following

important letters that include grade level testing dates and a parent overview:

• 3rd Grade MCAS Letter

• 4th Grade MCAS Letter

• 5th Grade MCAS Letter

3. Upcoming Events for the Family:

• Social Media Night

Robert Adams Middle School will be hosting a Social Media Night for parents on March 7th (as a follow-up to the screening of Screenagers on February 15th).  The viewing of Screenagers is not a prerequisite for attendance.  The evening will focus on many of the challenges and concerns presented in Screenagers, answering any questions that parents may have.   

Miller encourages parents to attend this event.  Our children are living a world on line that many of us are completely unaware of.  We hope that this evening will give you the resources to guide your student.  The Social Media Night will consist of a panel discussion and Q&A from administrators, guidance counselors,  and parents from across the district, along with our school resource officer..

• Family Fitness Night, a super fun evening for parents and kids to get active and play together, will be held Thursday, March 9th, from 6:30-7:30pm in the gymnasium.  Children must be 3+ to participate.  

• Book Fair, Family Math Night and Classroom Basket Raffle:

On Tuesday, March 14th don’t miss Miller/Placentino Math Night from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Cafetorium.  On Tuesday & Wednesday, March 14th & 15th, the Spring Book Fair will be held in the Miller Multipurpose room from 9:00am - 8:00pm.  The Elementary PTO Classroom Raffle Baskets will be on display in the  Miller Library from 3:00pm-8:00pm (see below for information on how to get your tickets!).

• Holliston PTO Classroom Basket Raffle:

Take a chance to win some amazing prizes!  Many thanks to our Room Parents, parents and local businesses who helped put some incredible prize baskets together!  Classroom Raffle Baskets help fund our Culture Connection, bringing engaging and interactive assemblies to our students throughout the year!  All baskets will be on display on Tuesday, March 14th and Wednesday, March 15th from 3:00-8:00pm in the Miller Library. The night of the event, tickets will be $1.00 each or 15 tickets for $10 (cash or check only the night of the event).   ONLINE: You can get your tickets early - and peek at the 40+ baskets to be won - at  http://hollistonpto.org/raffle   Online ticket sales will be available from Wednesday, March 1st until 5pm on Sunday, March 12, 2017.  You can purchase tickets for any basket you might fancy - or - you can purchase General tickets (pre-filled out with your contact details) that can be picked up on March 14 & 15th for you to enter in person.   For all online ticket purchases of 15 tickets or more, enter Promo Code “save33” at checkout to receive 33% off!  Any questions email HollistonPTO@gmail.com  -  Thanks and we look forward to another fun and successful fundraiser!

• Holliston SEPAC and PTO Present: Why it is Important to Teach Your Child to Be a Better Social Learner?  Monday, March 20 from 7-9pm at Robert Adams Middle School Auditorium.  Presenters, Jessica Padula MS CCC-SLP and Christina Bruneau B.S., SLPA explain how the ability to be a good social learner has been linked to increased social competency. What it takes to be successful in the social world is repeated practice and real world application. The information provided in this presentation will provide parents with the powerful knowledge of why it is important to teach your child to be a better social learner. Strategies covered will include implementing Social Thinking® concepts, Emotional Regulation Strategies and Executive Function Strategies and are considered most relevant for pre-school to 5th grade students.  In addition, this presentation will focus on how social communication is a continuum and affects all aspects of an individual’s day.

4.  Other Important Dates:

• Friday, March 17th, Professional Development Day for Staff, no school for students

• Friday, March 24th will be out next food pantry collection day.   Every child who donates will add a paper flower to the “garden” in the lobby

• Sciencefest will be held Saturday, April 8th.  Check out robots, cool experiments and more!

5. Attention Parents of 4th Grade Students

All fourth grade students are mandated to have a physical exam during this school year.  This

examination is required by law (Ch. 71, Sec. 57, G.L., Commonwealth of Massachusetts). Please

forward a copy of this examination to the Miller School Nurse’s Office.  

A physical completed after March 1, 2016 through June 1, 2017 is acceptable.

If your child's physician would like to fax me a copy of this physical, please fax to 429-0699, c/o Lynne Bowler, RN, CPNP.    Any questions please call the Miller School Health Office at 429-0670.